There are a number of changes ahead that will affect fire apparatus, and departments need to understand what the future holds so that they can take action now. Buying good, late-model used apparatus may be one way to avoid problems in the coming years.

One of the biggest changes facing fire departments in the near future is the new engine exhaust emission requirements that will take effect in 2010. The 2007 emission changes brought new exhaust systems, new vehicle configurations, new fuels, new oils and a general increase in price for most new apparatus. Based on initial reports, the 2010 emission changes will bring more of the same — or possibly worse. Expect to see more hardware, more restrictions and more cost.

On top of the current exhaust restrictions, some states are already mandating that vehicles with older diesel engines must upgrade those engines at the time the vehicles are sold. In California, where the mild climate means trucks can often be kept in operation for 25 to 30 years, the state has enacted legislation to require that either the engines be upgraded or the vehicles be sold out of impacted emission areas. Although emergency vehicles are currently exempted from this requirement, the emphasis on clean air may eliminate such exemptions in the future.

Other restrictions may come from future editions of various NFPA standards. The current standards already include recommendations, but not requirements, that apparatus built prior to 1991, but less than 25 years ago, be placed in reserve status and upgraded. It is further recommended that those apparatus that were not built to NFPA standards or that are more than 25 years old should be replaced. These standards are only recommendations now, but there may be a movement to make them requirements in the future. If that happens, departments could be held liable if they continue to operate these older apparatus.

One way to avoid the restrictions on new apparatus and the potential upgrade requirements on old apparatus is to buy good, late-model used apparatus. There are a lot of them out there, but the supply may diminish in the future. Ideally, the apparatus should have been built after 1991, so they have most of the current safety equipment, but before 2002, so they don’t have the emission controls associated with the first generation of the latest engines. To get vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking systems, departments may have to select models from the mid to late 1990s. In any case, the apparatus should have been well maintained and recently tested to verify their conditions.

Whatever you choose, a good-quality used apparatus can give many years of service and avoid some of the problems facing newer and older rigs. For more information about selecting used apparatus, see “Second Time Around” in the June 2007 issue of Fire Chief.